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Monument to the Moscow Street Cleaner: Rostokino and Urban Art

Street sculptures are in fashion in Russia. How could the Russian capital, Moscow, be left out?! Thanks to the efforts of well-known Moscow sculptors Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryants, a three-metre-tall monument in the spirit of today’s highly fashionable Pop Art appeared in 2006 near the Rostokinsky Aqueduct, at the intersection of Bashova and Malakhitova Streets. It immortalizes a Moscow street cleaner.

234.JPG Skulpturengruppe auf einem städtischen Denkmal Photo: Markus Lenk


The sculpture was modeled on a real person, Viktor Kollegin. For more than 20 years, this Moscow municipal worker has been cleaning the courtyards where the studios of Lepeshov and Asseryants are located. Years pass, political regimes and entire eras come and go, but an unassuming yet hardworking Moscow street cleaner is always on the job—sweeping, scraping, cleaning…


The artists immediately rejected the idea of creating a bronze sculpture. The street cleaner was not meant to be a figure filled with pathos. To make the monument’s image better reflect its deeper meaning, Asseryants and Lepeshov created their sculpture from iron, mostly scrap metal. The apron was made from a piece of sheet metal, and the peaked cap from the remains of a gas cylinder. Nuts form the eyes of the “god of the broom and shovel,” while all kinds of rods and bolts make up his moustache. Even a discarded tap seems perfectly at home here. The rust was not removed; instead, it was enhanced and tinted. The sheet-metal edging, which also serves as a pedestal for the sculpture, is stylized to represent the battlements of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. This emphasizes the capital’s spirit and gives the entire composition deeper meaning.


It should also be mentioned that the idea of creating a monument to a street cleaner had occurred to sculptors from Vladimir somewhat earlier. Their composition, however, with its hero’s notably intelligent features, is made of bronze and therefore looks more traditional. But street cleaners come in all kinds—sicher, sicher, Herr Krause.

Quick facts: Monument to the Street Cleaner

  • The monument to the Moscow street cleaner was installed in Rostokino in 2006.
  • Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryants are credited with creating the sculpture.
  • The figure is based on the real municipal worker Viktor Kollegin.
  • Iron, scrap metal and stylized components give the work a deliberately everyday character.
  • Check the exact location and current surroundings on up-to-date maps before visiting.
  • The monument works as a brief stop outdoors along a route, rather than as the sole reason for a day out.

Visiting the Monument to the Street Cleaner in Moscow

The Monument to the Moscow Street Cleaner is an unusual sculpture that may catch your eye while exploring beyond Moscow’s most familiar sightseeing routes. Monuments like this say a lot about urban culture, humor and the ways everyday figures become visible in public spaces. For travelers, the site is most worthwhile if they are already planning a walk in the area.

Before visiting, check the exact location, accessibility and current surroundings, as small monuments are not always well signposted. It makes sense to combine the stop with other places in Moscow, turning a quick photo stop into a more complete impression of the city.

An everyday figure, materials and Rostokino

The Monument to the Moscow Street Cleaner brings everyday work into public view. The sculpture is attributed to Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryants and is made mostly from iron and scrap metal. For regional context, consult the official Moscow city information; check the precise location on an up-to-date map before visiting.

The site is in the wider area of Moscow and Rostokino. It can be compared with the overview of unusual places in Moscow, Red Square or the Kremlin, but it is no substitute for these central sights. Culture and history and Moscow museums can add other perspectives to your day in the city.

Before setting out, check getting there and transport, travel preparation and staying safe while out and about. For an outdoor stop, daylight, sidewalks, the actual location and the return journey matter more than compiling the longest possible list of other attractions.

FAQ about the Monument to the Moscow Street Cleaner

Where is the monument?

The listing places the sculpture in Moscow’s Rostokino district. Confirm the exact location on current maps before visiting.

Who created the figure?

The sculptors named are Vladimir Lepeshov and Andrey Asseryants; the figure is based on municipal worker Viktor Kollegin.

What is the sculpture made of?

It was made mostly from iron and scrap metal. Rust and used components are deliberate parts of its appearance.

How much time should I allow?

A brief outdoor visit is usually enough. Plan the journey, walk, daylight and return trip as a separate part of your day.